Department of Housing and Urban Development--Application of Section 713 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2012

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriation remained available to pay the salary of a HUD official, in circumstances where an e-mail sent by the official did not prohibit or prevent, or attempt or threaten to prohibit or prevent, a HUD employee from communicating with Congress.  Section 713 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriation Act, 2012, as carried forward into fiscal year 2013 by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, provides a governmentwide prohibition on the use of appropriated funds to pay the salary of an officer or employee who prohibits or prevents, or attempts or threatens to prohibit or prevent, another federal officer or employee from communicating with Congress.